AIM: To examine the relationships between γ -glutamyltransferase (GGT), alanine-aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate-aminotransferase (AST) and various metabolic parameters, C-reactive protein (CRP) and an oxidative stre...AIM: To examine the relationships between γ -glutamyltransferase (GGT), alanine-aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate-aminotransferase (AST) and various metabolic parameters, C-reactive protein (CRP) and an oxidative stress marker (nitrotyrosine, NT) in subjects without any metabolic abnormalities from a population-based sample.METHODS: Two hundred and five subjects with normal body mass index (BMI), glucose tolerance, and without any metabolic abnormality were studied out of 1339subjects, without known liver diseases, alcohol abuse or use of hepatotoxic drugs, who are representative of the 45-64 aged population of Asti (north-western Italy).RESULTS: In all patients metabolic parameters and hs-CRP levels linearly increase from the lowest to the highest ALT and GGT tertiles, while in subjects without metabolic abnormalities, there is a significant association between fasting glucose, uric acid, waist circumference,hs-CRP, triglyceride values, and GGT levels. In these subjects, male sex, higher hs-CRP and glucose levels are associated with GGT levels in a multiple regression model, after adjustments for multiple confounders.In the same model, median NT levels are significantly associated with the increasing GGT tertile (β = 1.06;95%CI 0.67-1.45), but not with the AST and ALT tertiles.In a multiple regression model, after adjusting for age,sex, BMI, waist, smoking, and alcohol consumption, both NT (β = 0.05; 95%CI 0.02-0.08) and hs-CRP levels (β =0.09; 95%CI 0.03-0.15) are significantly associated with fasting glycemia.CONCLUSION: GGT, an easy, universally standardized and available measurement, could represent an early marker of sub-clinical inflammation and oxidative stress in otherwise healthy individuals. Prospective studies are needed to establish if GGT could predict future diabetes in these subjects.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the usefulness of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and the need for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in cases of suspected spontaneous passage of stones into t...AIM:To investigate the usefulness of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and the need for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in cases of suspected spontaneous passage of stones into the common bile duct.METHODS:Thirty-six patients with gallbladder stones were clinically suspected of spontaneous passage of stones into the common bile duct because they presented with clinical symptoms such as abdominal pain and fever,and showed signs of inflammatory reaction and marked rise of hepatobiliary enzymes.These symptoms resolved and they showed normalized values of blood biochemical parameters after conservative treatment without evidence of stones in the common bile duct on MRCP.All these patients were subjected to ERCP within 3 d of MRCP to check for the presence of stones.RESULTS:No stones were detected by ERCP in any patient,confi rming the results of MRCP.CONCLUSION:When clinical symptoms improve,blood biochemical parameters have normalized,and MRCP shows there are no stones in the common bile duct,it can be considered the stone has spontaneously passed and thus ERCP is not necessary.展开更多
OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of a series of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) empirical prescriptions with salbutamol and montelukast(SM) in children with asthma.METHODS: A total of 182 children with asthma were ...OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of a series of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) empirical prescriptions with salbutamol and montelukast(SM) in children with asthma.METHODS: A total of 182 children with asthma were randomized into the TCM group(n = 97) or SM group(n = 85). Patients in the TCM group were treated with a series of TCM prescriptions, whereas those in the SM group received salbutamol and montelukast; both groups received their respective treatment for 12 weeks. Asthma control, changes in scores of TCM symptom patterns, and asthma symptom control(SC) scores after treatment were compared between the two groups.RESULTS: A higher percentage of patients in the TCM group had asthma control compared withthose in the SM group(91.67% and 76.83%, respectively, P = 0.006). Scores for abnormal feces(P <0.001), hyperhidrosis(P < 0.001), and tongue appearance(P = 0.001) in the TCM group were significantly better than those in the SM group. However,the total scores of TCM symptom patterns and SC scores did not differ significantly between the two groups(P > 0.05).CONCLUSION: Compared with salbutamol and montelukast, the TCM prescriptions tested were better for symptom control in children with asthma.展开更多
基金Supported by a grant: "Progetto di Ricerca Sanitaria Finalizzata,Regione Piemonte, 2003"
文摘AIM: To examine the relationships between γ -glutamyltransferase (GGT), alanine-aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate-aminotransferase (AST) and various metabolic parameters, C-reactive protein (CRP) and an oxidative stress marker (nitrotyrosine, NT) in subjects without any metabolic abnormalities from a population-based sample.METHODS: Two hundred and five subjects with normal body mass index (BMI), glucose tolerance, and without any metabolic abnormality were studied out of 1339subjects, without known liver diseases, alcohol abuse or use of hepatotoxic drugs, who are representative of the 45-64 aged population of Asti (north-western Italy).RESULTS: In all patients metabolic parameters and hs-CRP levels linearly increase from the lowest to the highest ALT and GGT tertiles, while in subjects without metabolic abnormalities, there is a significant association between fasting glucose, uric acid, waist circumference,hs-CRP, triglyceride values, and GGT levels. In these subjects, male sex, higher hs-CRP and glucose levels are associated with GGT levels in a multiple regression model, after adjustments for multiple confounders.In the same model, median NT levels are significantly associated with the increasing GGT tertile (β = 1.06;95%CI 0.67-1.45), but not with the AST and ALT tertiles.In a multiple regression model, after adjusting for age,sex, BMI, waist, smoking, and alcohol consumption, both NT (β = 0.05; 95%CI 0.02-0.08) and hs-CRP levels (β =0.09; 95%CI 0.03-0.15) are significantly associated with fasting glycemia.CONCLUSION: GGT, an easy, universally standardized and available measurement, could represent an early marker of sub-clinical inflammation and oxidative stress in otherwise healthy individuals. Prospective studies are needed to establish if GGT could predict future diabetes in these subjects.
文摘AIM:To investigate the usefulness of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and the need for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in cases of suspected spontaneous passage of stones into the common bile duct.METHODS:Thirty-six patients with gallbladder stones were clinically suspected of spontaneous passage of stones into the common bile duct because they presented with clinical symptoms such as abdominal pain and fever,and showed signs of inflammatory reaction and marked rise of hepatobiliary enzymes.These symptoms resolved and they showed normalized values of blood biochemical parameters after conservative treatment without evidence of stones in the common bile duct on MRCP.All these patients were subjected to ERCP within 3 d of MRCP to check for the presence of stones.RESULTS:No stones were detected by ERCP in any patient,confi rming the results of MRCP.CONCLUSION:When clinical symptoms improve,blood biochemical parameters have normalized,and MRCP shows there are no stones in the common bile duct,it can be considered the stone has spontaneously passed and thus ERCP is not necessary.
基金Supported by a Major Research Project of Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine Three-year Action Plan(No.ZYSNXD-CC-ZDYJ034)Shanghai Science and Technology Research Program(No.12401905500)a Development Project of Shanghai Peak Disciplines-Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine(No.20150407)
文摘OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of a series of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) empirical prescriptions with salbutamol and montelukast(SM) in children with asthma.METHODS: A total of 182 children with asthma were randomized into the TCM group(n = 97) or SM group(n = 85). Patients in the TCM group were treated with a series of TCM prescriptions, whereas those in the SM group received salbutamol and montelukast; both groups received their respective treatment for 12 weeks. Asthma control, changes in scores of TCM symptom patterns, and asthma symptom control(SC) scores after treatment were compared between the two groups.RESULTS: A higher percentage of patients in the TCM group had asthma control compared withthose in the SM group(91.67% and 76.83%, respectively, P = 0.006). Scores for abnormal feces(P <0.001), hyperhidrosis(P < 0.001), and tongue appearance(P = 0.001) in the TCM group were significantly better than those in the SM group. However,the total scores of TCM symptom patterns and SC scores did not differ significantly between the two groups(P > 0.05).CONCLUSION: Compared with salbutamol and montelukast, the TCM prescriptions tested were better for symptom control in children with asthma.
